Philly College Women’s Basketball Week In Review – Games of December 17 – 23

Philly College Sports.com Player of the Week – Hollie Mershon, Drexel University

Hollie Mershon – Photo Courtesy of Drexel University

Hollie Mershon became the 20th player in school history to score 1,000 career points leading Drexel to victory in the Battle of 33rd Street. Mershon also recorded her second double-double with 23 points and 14 rebounds.

LaSalle 60 Fairfield 50 – Shanel Harrison had a game-high 16 points as the Explorers won their second game in a row. Brittany Wilson scored 13 points and handed out 6 assists. She also pulled down 9 rebounds. Karynda Dupree also hit for 16 points while Ebonee Jones scored 12 points.

Next Game – 12/29 vs. Saint Peter’s at the Gola Arena

PENN – 4 – 4 Overall, 1 – 0 Big Five

Results – Lost 77 – 50 at Drexel

Summary –

Drexel 77 Penn 50 – Drexel shot 63.5% beating Penn in the Battle of 33rd Street. The loss ended a 4 game winning streak for the Red and Blue. Drexel led 40 – 26 at halftime. The 77 points by Drexel was the most scored against Penn this season. The Red and Blue went 36.5% from the floor, and 4 – 12 from distance. Keiera Ray led Penn with 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Central Michigan 98 Saint Joseph’s 84 – Five players scored in double figures for the Hawks, but it was not enough as Central Michigan won the opening round game of the Gator Classic. Chatilla van Grinsven and Erin Shield combined for 35 points while; Ilza Gotfrida had 14 points, Ashley Robinson 13, and Natasha Cloud contributed 11 points. The Hawks led 56 – 55 with 13:45 to play. CMU answered with a 15 – 4 run to take a 70 – 60 advantage midway through the second half. SJU got no closer than 8 points the rest of the way as CMU made 21 – 29 free throws from there to the end of the game.

Saint Joseph’s 88 Savannah State 41 – In the consolation game Saint Joseph’s scored a season-high 88 points. Chatilla van Grinsven led the team with 20 points. 11 of 12 Hawk players scored. A 26 – 4 run over 7 minutes in the first half gave Saint Joe’s control of the game. Leading 38 – 19 the Hawks opened the second half with a 24 – 8 in over 8 minutes. SJU scored 172 points over the two-day tournament, the second most in the history of the Gator Classic.

Next Game – 12/28 vs. Fairfield in the Hawk Classic

TEMPLE 5 – 5 Overall, 0 – 1 Big Five

Results – Lost 55 – 44 at Villanova

Summary –

Villanova 55 Temple 44 – Villanova jumped out to a 13 – 0 lead in the first six minutes. The lead would grow to 30 – 15. In the second half Temple cut the lead to 37 – 33 behind an 11 – 5 run. A three-pointer by Villanova guard Devon Kane with 5:50 put the Wildcats in control of the game. Victoria Macaulay led the Owls with 17 points, 11 in the second half. Natasha Thames pulled down 9 rebounds.

Next Game – 12/29 at Michigan State

VILLANOVA 9 – 1 Overall, 3 – 0 Big Five

Results – Won 55 – 44 vs. Temple at The Pavilion

Summary –

Villanova 55 Temple 44 – Villanova is 3 – 0 in the Big Five and is poised to win a second outright title. It was the 99th City Series win for the Wildcats. Villanova jumped out to a 13 – 0 lead in the first six minutes. The lead would grow to 30 – 15. In the second half Temple cut the lead to 37 – 33 behind an 11 – 5 run. A three-pointer by Villanova guard Devon Kane with 5:50 put the Wildcats in control of the game. Rachel Roberts scored a team-high 13 points. Megan Pearson scored 10 points.

Megan Pearson was named the Big Five Player of the Week.

Next Game – 12/29 vs. Delaware in the Dartmouth Tournament

DREXEL 7 – 2 Overall

Results – Won 77 – 50 vs. Drexel at the DAC

Summary –

Drexel 77 Penn 50 – Drexel guard Hollie Mershon became the 20th player in school history to score 1,000 career points leading Drexel to victory in the Battle of 33rd Street. Mershon also recorded her second double-double with 23 points and 14 rebounds. The Dragons, playing for the first time in 20 days, jumped out to an 11 – 4 lead. The halftime lead was 40 – 26 at halftime for Drexel. The Dragons shot 63.5% (33 – 52), 47.4% from distance (9 – 19), and had 23 assists on 33 baskets. Fiona Flanagan added 6 assists.

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